Rupert Murdoch lost his Saudi prince and his Australian media empire is now vulnerable

The Sun King, Rupert Murdoch, lost the support of his prince last week – and almost lost control of his media empire as a result.

But the real problem for Murdoch is that this war is far from over, and there are serious implications for News Corp’s struggling print empire in Australia – the weak underbelly that will be targeted by investors.

Long time Murdoch backer, the Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, kept on the sidelines last week as the News Corp founder faced an unprecedented investor revolt against the structure that entrenches his family’s control of the company with a minority stake.

The Murdoch family owns just 12 per cent of News Corp, but they own 40 per cent of the shares which control the company.